Erik Karlsson, Mika Zibanejad decline invitations to worlds
Apparently Ottawa Senators forward Mika Zibanejad and captain Erik Karlsson played through injury in the playoffs, as both declined invitations to play for Team Sweden in the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Prague.
Zibanejad told the media Tuesday that he has a bruised knee cap, but Karlsson declined to say what the nature of his injury was during media availability.
Karlsson appeared in every game for the Senators this season, and he racked up an impressive 32:11 time on ice in Game 6 of the first-round playoff series against the Canadiens. It was the third time in the six-game series when Karlsson tallied more than 30 minutes of ice time.
Zibanejad recorded career-highs in goals (20), assists (26) and points (46) in 80 games this season. He produced four points (one goal, three assists) in six games in the postseason.
(h/t The Score)
